Sheena Jolley Photography

The Mill House Gallery, Coosheen, Schull, Co. Cork

Located just as you enter Schull, turn left on the L4415 by the water's edge. 800 metres on and there is a car park behind the Mill House Gallery on the left. We're Open 10 to 7 most days or by appointment.

When photographing wildlife, I focus on freezing the briefest of moments. I like to capture motion, the momentary eye contact with an animal or bird, the light in an eye, the transient light at dawn and dusk, and moments that are too fast to be easily seen by the naked eye. The more I photograph and observe wildlife the more I am convinced both birds and animals have emotions and feelings. I strive to capture these moments by taking people closer to see better the detail, colour and spirit of a wild creature. All these aspects help to illustrate the beauty and might of nature and provide a lasting impression that I hope enthuses and excites the onlooker. When we yearn for an inner peace and our instinct is to search for that which makes us smile and breathe more deeply, then I hope my images will delight the sight and mind of the observer. I am sure that when we live in the concrete jungles of cities and yearn for a better life it is a really an instinct calling us back to the freedom and wonder of nature. My message is: “Let us wonder at nature and do everything we can to hang on to it."

Sheena Jolley was born in Wicklow, Ireland. Between 1999-2001 she studied Photography full time at North Oxfordshire College of Art thus combining her creative talents with her knowledge and love of nature. Sheena is dedicated to capturing images of the indigenous wildlife of Ireland and in particular its islands. With the islands becoming more popular and easily accessible by organised boat trips, she hopes to increase the awareness and appreciation of our natural world. The best way to preserve a thing of beauty is to hold the attention of the viewer and encourage a feeling of wonder and nurture. Her work therefore involves tight close-ups as well as a study of animals in their environment. It is music for the eyes.

Her work has been purchased by collectors in Europe and America and has featured many times in a number of National Publications. In 2009 one of her photographs made it to the finals of the Veolia Environment Wildlife photographer of the year Competition. As well as photographing wildlife Sheena has been involved in photographing a suppressed community in the West Indies. These are the forgotten descendants of Irish and Scottish people shipped to Barbados as slaves more than 300years ago. With compassion and sensitivity, she has managed to give an identity and dignity to a poverty –stricken community living on the edge of society. Her work and provocative images also feature in a documentary shown on both Irish and Scottish television in 2009 and 2010. Sheena has had a number of exhibitions both current and in the planning stage.

Sheena has recently become a Licentiate Member of the Irish Professional Photographers Association.